Goleta’s Kimpton Goodland 'Surf's Up' Good Times

Jan 11, 2017 06:00PM
● Published by Fran Miller

Think
of the Kimpton Goodlandas the beanie-wearing hipster who raises a room’s cool
quotient just by entering. The Goodland is a hippy-chic bohemian espousing
peace, harmony, and good times. This free spirit is a brick and mortar
anachronism that looks backward just a bit in order to deliver millennial
desired modernity. The ever-present Airstream and Woody Wagon mascots out front
lead to retro-cool touches such as beaded macramé window coverings, record
players and vinyl in every room, and driftwood-esque furnishings found throughout
the rooms, lobby, and destination restaurant – Outpost.It’s these small
touches that combine for a sum larger than its non-conformist parts.

The
Santa Barbara area offers a multitude of hotel and resort choices, but you’ll
be hard pressed to find any with as much personality as the Goodland. Located in Goleta, just a short
drive from downtown Santa Barbara, and minutes from UCSB, this smaller town shares all the
natural charms of it’s more prominent neighbor, but without the crowds and the hefty price tag. There are no ocean views at the Goodland, but
you’re just a walk or bike ride from one of the area’s best beaches. And as you
enjoy your glass (or two) of complimentary evening wine while sitting around
one of the patio’s cozy fire pits, a desire for a view will likely dissipate. The
trade-off becomes well worth it as the Goodland’s other charms take hold.

A
beach theme dominates the Goodland rooms; surf magazines, ocean based décor,
and a surfboard here and there complete the beach house vibe. Each room
contains a Crosley record player, a selection of vinyl, and a stack of beach reads.
Mini-bars contain Bulleit bourbon, Casamigos tequila, and Hendrick’s gin. (Enjoy
with your $10 Kimpton Karma Rewards mini-bar credit.) Bathrooms feature
luxurious Atelier Bloem bath amenities. And the bed….the classic and crazy-comfortable Kimpton bed, found at each of their properties, will lure you into its
caresses. But don’t succumb too early or too late, as the best parts of the
Goodland are found just beyond…

Yoga
in the morning, DJs at night, two fantastic and atmospheric bars – The Good Bar
with billiards and Outpost with views of the glorious mountains and
sparkling blue pool, a destination level indoor/outdoor restaurant, backgammon
boards, a state-of-the-art fitness center, outdoor movies, complimentary bikes,
and a lobby record shop are just some of the Goodland ‘extras.’ The common
spaces beg you to grab a beverage, relax, and go with the flow. Complimentary coffee,
tea, and seasonal hot chocolate bar greet guests in the morning, while
complimentary wines are poured each evening. It all adds up to a memorable stay,
made even more indelible by the warm and welcoming staff, and that man-bunned hipster with whom you engaged in a friendly game of pool.